Laundry apparatus



Nov. 24, 1942- F. BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 2,302,836

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 JEEI WITNESSES v INVENTORS F ,0 1 $42K fnijklvmzjgs.

A2 4.42 7/2 lo Fatented Nov. 24, 1&42

g E F Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric &

Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 5, 1940, Serial No. 322,320

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to laundry apparatus and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved laundry machine wherein the amount of water admitted to the machine and/ or the centrifuging of the fabrics are automatically and positively controlled.

A further object of our invention is to utilize, in a laundry machine in which the fabrics to be treated are washed and centrifuged in a single container structure that moves'between an elevated and a lower position as water is admitted to and drained from the container, ie movements of the container for controlling the admission of water to the container and the centrifuging of the fabrics therewithin.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a resiliently supported laundry tub that moves downwardly and upwardly as water is admitted to and discharged from the tub, wherein the movements of the tub are utilized to control the amount of water admitted to the tub and the period during which the fabrics being treated may be centrifuged.

These and other objects are effected by our invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this application, in which: a

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through a laundry machine constructed and arranged in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with portions of the enclosing casing removed for the sake of clearness; and,

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the electrical elements employed in the laundry machine and the connections therebetween.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein we have shown our invention applied to a washing and spinning machine of the type disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 203,804, filed April 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. It will be understood that the specific form of laundry machine which we have disclosed is shown by way of example and that our invention may be applied equally well to other forms of machines and irrespective of the position of the axis of rotation. This type of washer includes a tub structure i0, generally of frusto-conical configuration, and a perforate basket ii of similar formation rotatably disposed therein.

The axisof the tub and perforate basket is arranged at an acute angle from the vertical so that the end wall [2 of the tub of major diameter faces upwardly and forwardly. Registering access openings i3 and [4 are formed in the tub and basket. respectively, for the ingress and egress of clothes to be washed. The access opening l3 of the tub is closed by a door l5 which is hinged to the tub structure and gasketed, as shown, to provide a water-tight seal for the opening iii.

The basket structure ll includes a plurality of imvardly-cxtendirg, circumferentially-spaced vanes 6 for agitating the fabrics during the washing period, as described hereinafter. The end wall of the basket ii of minor diameter is dished inwardly to define a dome H which cooperates with the vanes it to effect a predetermined circulation of the fabrics within the basket during the washing period. The vanes 16 are spaced from the dome ii to provide an annular space or zone 18 within the basket which is substantially uninterrupted. The basket and vane structure shown herein is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed April 15, 1939, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric 81 Manufacturing Com- Rotation of the basket 16 about its axis is effected by a motor 19, carried in any suitable manner to the underside of the tub structure Hi and belted, as shown at 21, to a pulley 22 that defines the driving element for a two-speed mechanism generally indicated at 23. Support for the twospeed mechanism 23 is provided by an end wall 2- 3 of the tub i0 and suitable bracing means 25 secured to the end wall 25. The two-speed mechanism includes a driven shaft 26 which carries the basket I I and is secured thereto centrally of the dome ll.

The two-speed mechanism 23 is driven by the motor l9 at constant speed and is adjustable so that the driven shaft 26 thereof may be rotated at relatively low speed of, for example, 52 R. P. M. during washing periods and at relatively high speed of, for example, 480 R. P. M. during fiuid extracting periods. As the specific mechanism for efiecting the twobasket speeds forms no part of the present invention, it has not been shown in detail for the sake of brevity, it being understood that any suitable two-speed mechanism may be employed for driving the basket. .A twospeed mechanism combined with a washer element of the type disclosed in the present application is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No,

, tween two positions, indicated by em electrwmcgnet of suiteble shown st 26. It will be uncieroeenergized periods of the elecs Q i s, the em 28 is bisseci to the posi- 21 shown in Rig. 1 wherein slow speed rotation of the is selected cool, during energizing perlcils of the electro-megnet the arm 28 is to its other position in which high speed versticn of the casket is efiected.

' the desired temjoereture is admitted, e structure iii from conduit 39 which eets .2 e soitoble source of Water cc melodic flexible portion such so, for

length of rubber tubing. The distlie le conduit connects projecting device m coseo, within adjacent stress or? 31;; 85 or the ii wet-er projecting device of the is disclosed and claimed in themepplicstion oi Stuart B. Baird, Serial No. "315.371, fled January 2 3, i940, and assigned to the cissicnee of the present application. Flow of through the conduits 3i and 32 to the tub controlled by on electrically-operated valve 8:1 3/ well understood construction. No descripoi the valve 3G is deemed necessary other to say that when energized, it is opened and, versely, when :leenergized, it is closed. Viti- U teal is discharged irom the tub through s ere opening formed in the bottom thereof communicating by means of s conduit 3%) Tl 1 the inlet of the pump 8?, the latter being "r motor Flow 05' water three c t is controlled by an electricelly ive which, when energized, is op i deeriergizeci, is clcsccl. .c, the pump 3?! is conveyed through c commit 2% to e. point or discharge. will be sppcrezit from the foregoing; tion that the tub iii, the two-speed meclccniezc 23 and the motor is define major elements of e 'snitery washing end spinning structure which, in accordance with. this invention, moves downeand upwardly es wet/er resrewtiveiy ca Iii. to, one? discharged. from the tub struc= in the emicodlmerit, tie tore is suyogoorteci by plu of heiicsl tension springs 36, 32 cool 5 and G2 are dispose-cl ozo. opposite the tub structure calico ant front cad me. the spring 38 is the tub structure at time cool rings ere cerrieci ct their upper ends by which form elements of on encioo p 3 generally indicated et [15. The springs ieciusive, resiliently support unitary permit vibration thereof relative ,irog M oil resales.- Tiie scele oi is, inclusive, is such that the cm structure, when substantially devoid oi is disposed in the elevated position slim "real the tub iii contains e. iull c spring structure permits oves ent of the tub to 2 lower goo"- cro during washing periods, the eel in. relatively low position i developed showing the movement o Gil elevated position short-n or: me drew. plii'ierl form of flexible support is Frank Breckenridge, Seriel No. 226,853, August 26, 1938, and meal: Breckenridge et 0 Serial No. 303,202, filed November '7, 1939, both which applications are assigned to the essigme of the present application.

The enclosing cosine" the upper portion of rich is inclio 37, provided cl substentielly W511! the access I "aided for the op. curiae inactive 9 35.3 which is remoi cl or curing opem eerie-i is. Control o e otters? triccl elements irocli change eiectro ereted valves 3c and 323 5 metic. We have disclosed o ereted system which includes 2. er gizing the aforesaid electrical elements iceliy. These steps include clischerge of water to from time rinsing mid centrifug'img oi the treated and terminate rotiis after the ere completed.

Any suitable form of timer for effecting the energizeticri end oi oi the various electrical element b r no detail. riescri,

necess drum switch 5i includes e roteteble clrt i; having a shaft 53 which is rotated by a motor cc of the type commonly employed for driving clocks. A reduction gear 55 is interposed tween. the motor 85 one the shaft so if drum is rotates st 2. reletivelq, low e= the dr rotctes at r proximately revolution "'38 m is the rlirectlcri of .ic'tec unit well orscierstcc carried by the cesing S5 in an location, not shown.

The roteteble drum to proor lo mile I or. we? be rotated through cl.

ting inciepericiently o and, in this connection, on cverrunning clutch is connected the shcft so f n )3 e rototecl slightly relo.

suction The clutch opera the when the motor is rotated. clutch is shown diagrammatically any a cable form of overmnffing ercpiopg e, for eopllceticri.

The drum 622 carries :2 plurality of elec cal movsbie contcct seem St to elusive, which cooperate with a plurality of stationary contact fingers 15 to 18, inclusive. The source of power for the electrical elements is defined by the line conductors L1 and La, the former of which is connected to the contact finger 15 as shown. connected to one terminal of each of the motors it? and 5d, the opposite terminals of which are connected to the line conductor La. The contact fingers ll to 79, inclusive, are respectively connected by means of conductors 8!, 82 and 88 to terminals of the electrically-operated water valve the drain valve 38 and the speed change electro-magnet 28. The opposite terminal of the electrically-operated drain valve 88 is connected to the line conductor La and the opposite terminals of the speed change electro-magnet 28 and the electrically-operated water valve 38 are connected to the opposite line conductor La through a switch structure, generally indicated at 85 and constructed and arranged in accordance with our invention.

The switch structure 85 functions to control the proper amount of water admitted to the tub structure it and to prevent high speed operation of the basket structure H until substantially all of the water has been drained from the tub. As described hereinafter, the switch structure 85 is mechanically actuated by upward and downward movements of the unitary structure, including the tub it, which movements are ccncomitants oi the discharge of water from the tub and the admission of water thereto, respectively.

The switch structure 85 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3 and includes an operating arm 88 pivoted at 8? and actuated to its open and closed positions in a snap-acting manner by a U-shaped compression spring 88 which is interposed between supporting knife edges carried by the arm 88 and by a stationary portion of the switch structure, respectively. The switch structure 85 includes an electric switch 88, connected in a conductor 9i]; which extends from terminals of the speed change magnet 28 and the electrically-operated water valve 34 to the line conductor In.

The outer end of the movable arm 88 is interposed between spaced fingers 9| and 92 which are carried by the tub l8. downwardly when water is admitted thereto, the space between the finger 8| and the switch actuating arm-t8 is first closed and when a predetermined weight of water is admitted to the tub it) the finger moves the switch arm 88 to its switch open position. Conversely, as water is discharged from the tub III, the springs II to 48, inclusive, elevate the tub and after the space between the finger 82 and the switch arm 88 is closed, the latter actuates the switch 88 to its closed position. At the time of closing of the switch tit, substantially all water is removed from the tub it or, at least, the amount remaining therein will not be detrimental to high speed spinning operation. The fingers 8| and 82 are preferably resilient to permit some limited vibratory movement of the tub I relative the switch arm 85 when the latter is moved to either of its entreme positions. As shown, the fingers 8i and 92 may be formed from a spring strip which is suitably secured to the tub ill in any well understood manner.

' Operation The operation of the automatically-operated mechanism will now be described. As shown in The contact finger I6 is electrically-.

As the tub moves the drawings, the apparatus is inactive. In order to charge the tub, the. cover 48 is removed or opened and the door l swung to its open position. The fabrics to be treated are deposited in the 5 basket I! and the door i5 is closed. The operator then advances the drum 52, if a soaking or prewashing period is desired, until the contacts 8 i, 68 and 85 engage their respective fingers l8, l6 and 11. In this connection, if it is not desired to soak or prewash the fabrics, the drum 52 may be advanced to approximately the seven-minute position on the diagram, which initiates the automatic washing period. However, if it is desired to soak or prewash the clothes, the drum 52 is advanced as described. Accordingly, the main motor l8 and the timer motor 54 are energized, the former operating the basket at relatively low speed, it being understood that the speed-control magnet 29 at this time is deenergized, and the motor 58 operating to slowly advance the "drum 52. I

Engagement of the finger 'll by the contact 85 energizes the water valve 84, the circuit of which includes the switch 89 which, at this time, is closed because the tub is devoid of water and is in its-elevatedposition. The admission of water to the tub'continues until the switch 88 is opened by engagement of the finger II with the switch arm 88. Opening of the switch 88 is effected when the proper amount or weight of water has been admitted to the tub for the washing opera= tion. The level of the water at the time of opening of the switch 88 is indicated by the broken line A in Fig. 1. 1

During this soaking or prewashing period, the fabrics are agitated .in the clear water by the vanes l8. At this time the fabrics are. engaged by the rotating vanes I8 and are elevated to an upper region of the basket. The vanes become more and more inclined as they move upwardly because of the inclined axis of the fmsto-conlcal basket, so that the fabrics slide along the inclined vanes toward the dome and are dropped thereon from the upper region of the basket. The fabrics then glide downwardly over the dome and launch in the body of water and move torwardly therein due to the forward motion im= parted to the fabrics by the inclined dome. The fabrics are again elevated by the vanes II and deposited on the dome. This operation continued during the washing cycle.

Toward the conclusion of the prewash period, the segment 65 is disengaged from the finger H so that the water valve circuit is opened. The segment 78 engages the finger 18 for energizing the electrically-operated drain valve 88, so that the discharge of water from the tub is initiated. Removal of water from the tub reduces the weight thereof, so that the tension springs ll, 82, 0 and 48 move the tub towards its elevated position, at the conclusion of which the finger 82 engages the switch arm 86 and closes the switch 88. This is of no consequence for the moment as the water valve circuit is open, the segment 68 being disengaged from the finger 11. The segments 8! and 63 are thendisengaged from their respective fingers I5 and 18 for deenergizing the motors i8 and 54, so that the apparatus is rendered in=' active.

The operator then returns to the machine and deposits a detergent in the basket and advances the drum 5! until the segments 62, 64 and 88 engage the fingers 15, I8 and 11, respectively. The motors l9 and 84 are again started and water is 7 admitted to the tub, as described heretofore.

from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed there upon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a container for containing washing water and the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting water to the container, means for discharging water from the container, means for resiliently supporting the container in an elevated position when substantially devoid of water and or permitting movement of the container to a lower position as water is admitted thereto. a switch actuated in response to movements of the container for controlling the operation of the wateradmitting means, and means interposed between the container and said switch for actuating the switch when the container is moved to its extreme positions and for permitting vibratory movement of the container relative the switch when the container is intermediate its extreme position.

2. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for centrifuging water therefrom, the combination of a basket structure for enclosing washing water and the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting water to the basket structure and for discharging water therefrom, driving means for actuating the basket structure at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and for rotating the same at relatively high speed for extracting water therefrom, means for supporting the basket structure in an elevated position when substantially devoid of water, said supporting means permitting progressive downward movement of the basket structure to a lower position as water is admitted thereto and means responsive to upward and downward movements of the basket structure for controllin; the operation of said driving means, said controlling means being eiiective when the basket structure is adjacent its elevated position to con dition the driving means for high speed operation and, when the basket structure is in its lower position, to prevent high speed operation of the driving means.

3. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a tub structure for containing washing water, means for admitting water to the tub and for discharging water therefrom, a basket rotatably disposed within the tub for containing the fabrics to be washed, driving means for actuating the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and for rotating the basket at relatively high speed for extracting water from the fabrics, means for supporting the tub in an elevated position when substantially devoid of water and for permitting movement of the tub to a lower'position as water is admitted to the tub, and switching means actuated by movements of the tub for controlling the operation of said driving means, said switching means being effective to condition the driving means for high speed operation when the tub is adjacent its elevated position and to prevent high speed operation of the driving means at other times.

4. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting water therefrom, the combination of a tub structure for containing washing water, a

' tion as water is admitted to the tub. a swi h basket rotatably disposed the fabrics to be treated, s for vxater to the tub. means for d c from the tub, driving for actuating basket at relatively low frequency during washi periods and for rotating the basket at relativ" high speed during fiuid-extracting periods, for supporting the tub structure in an elev position when substantially devoid of waterand for permitting downward. movement of the tub to a lower position as water is admitted thereto, switching means actuated by movements of the tub for controlling the operation of the wateradmitting means and said driving means, said switching means being effective to permit admission of water to the tub or high speed operation of the basket when the tub is in its elevated position and to terminate flow of water to the tub and prevent high speed operation of the basket when the tub is in its lower position.

5. In laundry apparatus. the combination of a tub for containing washing water, a basket rotatably disposed therein for, containing the fabrics to be treated. means for admit we er to the tub, means for discharging water 11 0113. the tub, driving means for operating the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and for operating the bask t at relatively high speed for extracting water from the fabrics, means for resilientlysupporting the tub in an elevated position when substantially devoid of water and for permitting movement of the tub to a lower posi,

therein. for conte actuated in response to movements of the for controlling the operation of the water-admit ting means and said driving means. and mea. s interposed between the movable tub and switch for actuating the switch when the tub is moved to its extreme positions and for permitting vibratory movement of the tub relative the switch when the tub is trem positions,

6. In laundry apparatus, the combination o tub structure for contaif-iing w sr means for admitting water to the tub in charging water therefrom, be ket rotai posed within the tub for containing t i. i i is to be washed, drivingmeans for actuating the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics and for rotating the basket at relatively high speed for extracting water from the fabrics, electrically-operated means for adjusting the driving means for high speed operation, a master switch for controlling energization of the electrically-operated means, means for support the tub in an elevated position when substantially devoid of water and for permitting downwardL movement of the tub to a lower position as water FRANK BEECH" EARL i. 

